Variable-speed mechanism.



PATENTED MAY 19,1903. F. 0. MIDLER- VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES;

Patented May 19,1903.

FREDERICK O. MILLER, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY.

VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM.

" sPEcIFmATIoN rormingpart of Letters Patent No. 728,268, dated may 19, 1903.

. Application filed July 14,1902. Serial lie-115,526. man.) r

ism, of which the following is a specification;

My invention relates to avariable-speed device the principles ofwhich apply to any I machine organization in which a variety of I speeds is a desideratum; but it ismorelparticularly designed and arranged for application to automobiles.

The objects of the invention are to provide a simple construction which may be easily manipulated, in which the desired number of speeds,- the reversing, and the connecting and disconnecting of the main drive may all be accomplished through the medium of asingle controlling-lever.

The other features'of my invention aremore fully set forth in the description of the, accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 is a central vertical section of my improvement. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of; the shifting device.- Fig.3 is a section online at as, Fig. 1. 'Fig. 4 is a section on line'- y y, Fig. 1, showing thecontrollin'g-lever. Fig. 5 is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the actuating-cam.

A represents the casing, provided with driv; ing-shaft B and driven shaft 0. Shaft B is movable longitudinally of the casing.

P represents the driving-pulley. When shaft B is shifted in its hearings in the casing in the direction of driving-pulley P, the clutch is engaged and fixes the'driving-pulley P to said shaft B, and'likewise a reverse movement of shaft B uncouples the shaft from the driving-pulley.

1, 2, and 5 represent different-diameter gear-wheels fixed at intervals on shaft B.

4, 5, and 6 represent an opposing set of gear-wheels of different diameter on shaft 0, the said gear-wheels being loose on shaft 0, but adapted to turn therewith and to slide thereon independently.

speeds, obtainable from the intermeshing of 1 and 4 or 2 and 5 or 3 and 6, are shown, al-

thoughthe principle could be carried to any extent... desirable or. limited to two speeds without deviating from my'invention.

Loosely journaled upon stud-shaft B, to oneside. of driving-shaft; B, is a reversing gear-wheel 7, always intermeshed with'gearwheel 5zon shaft .13. Stud-shaft B is long [enough tofpermitof the sliding of gear-wheel 7. thereon, said gear-wheel being formed with an elongated face, whichpermits of its sliding onshaft 13- while intcrmeshing with the ,is provided with a groove.

a b c d represent armsv provided with yokes Y a b o (1, respectively, at theirinner ends engaging into the groovedsleeves of gear-wheels 4, 5, 6, and 7. A

efg h represent shifting rods,-the ends of which are loosely supported in the ends of the casing, permitting'of the longitudinal movement of the rods relative thereto. 'These rods efg h. respectively, are connected to arms a b c d I D represents a'lever journaled concentrically with shaft Band movable rotatively transversely to the casing. To the upper end of the lever D is pivoted a leverE, one end of lever E being provided with a handle, the other end of said lever E being connected to the end of shaft B. It,is obvious that when lever E is rocked with shaft B as a center it moves in unison with lever D and together they rock inthe arc of a circle transverse to the casing, whereas when lever E is actuated on its center E leverE moves independently in the longitudinal plane of the casing and shifts shaft B endwise in its hearings to clutch and unclutch said shaft todriving-pulleyP.

per half formed as a tooth-segment H, the

teeth of which intermesh with the teeth of segment F, while the lower half of said lever TOO is formed with a peripheral camway I, having the abrupt crook or shoulder J. (See Fig. 6.)

The arrangement and intermeshing engagement of levers D G are shown in Fig. 4.

The ends of rods e,]", g, and h are provided with antifriction-rollers 'II, which ride in the camway I.

K represents the handle of lever E, which is projected opposite a ledge L, provided with notches we, (see Fig. 4,) the position of the lever relative to the'respective notches denoting the speed obtainable at a given position or the reversing, as the case may be.

The direction of the length of the slot-is transverse to the casing. The notches constitute locking-detents to hold the lever in adjusted position.

Mode of operation: The parts being in the position of Fig. l-thatis, shaftB unclutched and gear-wheel 5 being shifted to its predetermined positi0nthe handle E is grasped and rocked in a direction along the length of the slot, as shown in Fig. 4. By this movement lever D turns onits center, and through the engagement of toothed segments F and H lever G is rocked on shaft 0 in the opposite direction from lever D. The semicircular cam-wheel I is thus partly rotated, which movement successively presents the abrupt shoulder J to the antifriction-rollers i, respectively, on the ends of rods e, f, g, and h. This causes the rods to be shifted successively as the rollers ride in this cam, and hence successively shifts gears 4, 5, 6, and 7 on their respective shafts. A movement of lever E in either direction shifts the said gear-wheels successively back and forth on their shaft as the V-shaped cam J successively engages the rollers of the shifting rods. As the said antifr iction-rollers of the shifting rods ride in the main or straightchannel-way of the cam, except when the shoulder J is brought into engagement therewith, they are only actuated one at a time and as the rollers are respectively engaged by cam J. By the means so far described a selected gear-wheel is brought to a predetermined positionsay, as shown in Fig. 1, gear-wheel 5 has been shifted to the left on shaft C from its normal position shown in dotted lines. The position of the lever in its slotindicates that gear-wheel 5 is properly adjusted. The lever E is then rocked transversely to the length of the slot and fitted into the opposite locking-notch, shifting shaft B to the right of the position shown in Fig. 1, which movement simultaneously intermeshes fixed gearwheel 2 on shaft B with loose gear-wheel5 in adjusted position on shaft 0 and clutches shaft B to the driving-pulley P. Now say the reversing-gear is to be actuated, the handle of lever E is operated to unclntch shaft B, at the same time throwing out of mesh any gears which may be in train between shafts B and C. Lever E is moved in the length of the slot until opposite the proper notch, which indicates that the cam J has shifted rod 72, and hence slid gear-wheel 7 to the left-hand end of its stud-shaft B, said gear-wheel still being in mesh with its driving gear-wheel 3. The shifting of gear-wheel 7 to the left brings it into mesh with gear-wheel 5 on shaft 0, which is in its normal position at that time, the normal position. being shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and the reversing-gears being shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Shaft B is then shifted into clutching position.

By the means herein shown and through the medium of a single operating-lever any one of a series of variable-speed gears, as well as the reversing-gears, may be shifted into position while the power is off and only when the power is off.

The notches serve as looks as well as indicators. The movement of shifting the lever out of the notches into the channel of the slot unclutches shaft 13. Thus it is obvious that the movable gears cannot be shifted on their shafts while the driving-shaft is clutched to the driving-pulley.

I do not restrict myself to the particular relative arrangement of gear-wheels or organization shown,except wherein particularly claimed, as the principles of the invention may be variously applied, and the relative arrangement of movable and fixed gears varied from the arrangement shown withoutmaterial difference. Neither do I restrict myself to the particular cam-and-lever mechanism shown for actuating the movable gearwheels, as various details other than I have shown can be worked out for this purpose by a skilled mechanic familiar with the principles of invention and particular arrangement herein shown.

Having described my invention, I claim-- 1. A variable-speed device consisting of a driving and a driven shaft, opposing sets of different-diameter gear-wheels on said shafts respectively, the gear-Wheels on one of said shafts being arranged to slide thereon and turn therewith, a lever mechanism having connection with the said sliding gear-wheels, adapted to independently slide said gearwheels on their shafts, the,,shaft carrying the fixed gear-Wheels being slidable longitudinally in its bearings, and means for shifting said shaft, whereby the sliding gear-wheels may be selectively and independently intermeshed with their opposing gear-wheels, substantially as described.

2. In a variable-speed device adriving and a driven shaft, a plurality of different-diameter gear-wheels fixed to one of said shafts, a corresponding set of different-diameter gearwheels on the opposing shaft adapted to turn therewith and slide thereon, a shifting rod for each of the said sliding gear-wheels, a leverand-cam mechanism having engagement with all of said shifting rods, the shaft carrying the fixed gear-wheels being slidable longitudinally in its bearings, and means for shifting said shaft, whereby the said sliding gearwheels may be independently .intermeshed with the opposing gear-wheels, substantially as described. I

3. In a variable-speed device a driving and a driven shaft, a plurality of different-diameter gear-wheels fixed to one of said shafts and a corresponding set of diflerent-diameter gearwheels on the opposing shaft adapted to slide thereon and turn therewith, a shifting rod for each of the sliding gear-wheels, an arm connecting each of said rods to its respective gearwheel, a cam engaging the ends of all the said rods, means for inanipulatingsaid cam, the shaft carrying the fixed gear-wheels being slidable longitudinally in its bearings, and means for shifting said shaft, whereby the sliding gears may be moved on their shafts so as to be independently intermeshed with their respective opposing gear-wheels, substantially as described.

4. In a variable-speed device a driving and a driven'shaft, a plurality of different-diame ter gear-wheels fixed on one of said shafts, a plurality of different-diameter gear-wheels mounted upon the opposing'shaft and being adapted to slide thereon and turn therewith, one of said shafts being slidable longitudinally, a plurality of shifting rods each connected respectivelyto one of the sliding gears, a cam-wheel engaging said'rods, a rock-lever for actuating said cam-wheel, an operatinglever pivoted respectively on said rock-lever and to the sliding shaft, whereby the sliding gears may be independently controlled, and whereby the sliding shaft may be independently operated by the manipulation of a single lever, substantially as described.

5. In a variable-speed device a driving and a driven shaft, an opposing set of different-diameter gear-wheels, some of said gear-wheels being fixed on said shafts and others being loose and adapted to slide on and turn'with their shafts respectively, shifting rods-each having connection with one, of said sliding gear-wheels, and a cam-and-lever'mechanism common to all of said shifting rods, the shaft carrying the fixed gear-wheels being slidable longitudinally in its bearings, and means for shifting said shaft, whereby the-said sliding gears may be independently controlled,substantially as described.

6. Inavariable-speeddeviceadriving-shaft slidable longitudinally, a driven shaft, opposite sets of different-diametergear-wheels on said driven shaft, some of said gear-wheels being fixed and the others slidably mounted on said shafts, shifting rods, eachbeingconnected respectively to one of said sliding gearwheels, a cam commonto all of saidrods and adapted to reciprocate said rods, a rock-lever fulcrumed on the driving-shaft, adapted to actuate the said cam,and an operating-lever pivoted to the said rock-lever and to the said sliding shaft, whereby said sliding gears may be independently controlled, substantially as described.

7. In a variable-speed device a driving and a driven shaft therein, opposing sets of gearwheels of different diameter, some of which are fixed to one of said shafts and some of which are movable on the other of said shafts, one of said shafts being longitudinallymovable, shifting devices independently connected to each of the movable gears, a cam engaged by each shifting rod, means foractuating said cam adapted to shift any one of said movable gear-wheelsinto predetermined p0sition,'and means for sliding'said movable shaft, whereby a fixed gear thereon is intermeshed with the particular movable gearon the opposing shaft which has. been shifted into predetermined position for engagement, substantially as described. V

8. In a variable-speeddevice a driving and a driven shaft, an opposing set of difierentdiameter gear-wheels, some of which are fixed toand some of which are movable on their wheels into predetermined position on ,its

shaft, and means for shifting said movable shaft whereby a fixed ge'arthereon is brought into train with the particular movable gear on the opposing shaft which has been shifted l into its predetermined position for engage ment, substantially as described. 9. In a'variable-speeddevice a driving an a driven shaft therein, an opposing set of different-diameter gear-wheels some a of which are fixed to and others being movableon their respective shafts, a shifting ro'd andconnecting-arm for each movable gear-wheel, acam rotatable in the arc of a circle transversely to the length of. the shafts, each of said rods having engagement with said cam so as to be independently and successively shifted when said cam is rotated,.meansfor rotating said cam, the shaft carrying the fixed'gear-wheels being slidable longitudinally in its bearings, a lever mechanism adapted to shift the. said shaft, and also to actuate thesaid cam, whereby the movable gear-wheels vmay be selectively and independently intermeshed with the opposing fixed gear-wheels, substantially I havingengagement with said cam, so as to be independently and successively.shiftedwhen said cam is rotatedyan actuating-lever and intermeshing toothed segments connecting said lever and cam, the shaft carrying the fixed gear-wheels being slidable longitudinally in its bearings, and means for shifting said shaft, substantially as described.

11. In a variable-speed device adriving and a driven shaft, an opposing set of differentdiameter gear-wheels, some of which are fixed to and others of which are movable on their respective shafts, a cam concentrically fulcrumed relative to one of said shafts, provided with a toothed segment, each of said rods having engagement with said cam so as to be independently and successively shifted when said cam is rotated, an actuating lever concentrically journaled relative to the other of said shafts, and having a toothed segment intermeshing with the toothed segment of said cam, substantially as described.

12. In a variable-speed device, a driving and a driven shaft, an opposing set of different-diameter gear-wheels, some of which are fixed to and others of which are movable on their respective shafts, the shaft carrying the fixed gear-wheels being slidable longitudinally in its bearings, and means for shifting said shaft, a cam rotatable in the arc of a circle transversely to the length of the shafts, a shifting and connecting arm for each movable gear-wheel having engagement with said cam, whereby said rod may be independently and successively shifted when said cam is rotated, a lever for rotating said cam, and an opposing ledge provided with indicating-notches, substantially as described.

13. In a variable-speed devicea driving and a driven shaft, an opposing set of differentdiameter gear-wheels, some of which are fixed to and some of which are movable on their respective shafts, one of said shafts being movable endwise in its bearings, a power-wheel, a clutch adapted to connect and disengage said movable shaft and power-wheel when said shaft is shifted, a shifting rod and connecting-arm for each movable gear-wheel, a cam rotatable in the arc of a circle transversely to the length of the shafts, said rods having engagement with said cam, whereby they are independently and successively shifted as the cam is rotated, a lever for rotating said cam, an actuating-lever pivoted to said first-named lever and to the movable shaft, whereby the shifting of said movable shafts and gear-wheels may be independently controlled through the medium of a single operating-lever, substantially as described.

14. In avariable-speed device adriving and a driven shaft, an opposing set of different diameter gear-wheels, some of which are fixed to and some of which are movable on their respective shafts, one of said shafts being movable endwise in its bearings, a powerwheel, a clutch adapted to connect and disengage said movable shaft and power-wheel when said shaft is shifted, a shifting rod and connecting-arm for each movable gear-wheel, a cam rotatable in the arc of a circle transversely to the length of the shafts, said rods having engagement with said cam, whereby they are independently and successively shifted as the cam is rotated, a lever for rotating said cam, an actuating-lever pivoted to said first-named lever and to the movable shaft, whereby the shifting of said movable shafts and gear-wheels may be independently controlled through the medium of a single operating-lever, a notched ledge in the casing opposite which said operating-lever projects, the length of the ledge being transverse to the shafts, and the notches being transverse to the length of the ledge, whereby the movable gear-wheels can be shifted only when the movable shaft is unclutched, substantially as described.

15. In a machine of the class described, in combination with the movable gear-wheels, movable shaft and shifting rods connected to the movable gear-wheels, a cam common to all of said rods, said cam being provided with a toothed segment, and journaled concentrically to one of said shafts, a lever fulcrumed concentrically to the other of said shafts, and having a toothed-segmentengagement with the segment of said cam, an actuating-lever connected to the movable shaft and pivoted to said first-named lever, a casing formed with a notched ledge, opposite which said lever projects, the length of the ledge being transverse to the length of the shafts, permitting the actuating-lever to be rocked in unison with the first-named lever in either direction of the length of the slot for shifting said gears on their shafts, and permitting the actuating-lever to be rocked independently of said first-named lever transversely to the length of the ledge and into and out of the locking-notches for shifting said movable shaft, substantially as described.

16. In a machine of the class described comprising a driving and a driven shaft, a driving anda driven gear-wheel on said shafts adapted to be intermeshed by sliding one of said gearwheels on its shaft, a second gear-wheel on the driving-shaft, a stud-shaft, a pinion thereon always in mesh with said second driving gear-wheel, a shifting rod for each movable gear-Wheel, and a common actuating cam and lever whereby one of the movable gear-wheels on the driven shaft may be intermeshed with either the driving-gear or the reversing-gear, substantially as described.

17. In a machine of the class described comprising a driving and a driven shaft, fixed and movable gear-wheels thereon, a stud-shaft, an elongated pinion thereon having constant engagement with one of the fixed gear-wheels on the driving-shaft, and adapted to be slid on its stud-shaft, shifting-rods for each movable gear-wheel, a cam common to all of said shifting rods, and an actuating-lever for the cam, whereby the movable gear-wheels may be intermeshed with either the direct or the reversing gear-wheels, substantially as described.

' actuated through the manipulation ofasingle member, substantially as described. r V

19. In a variable-speed device, ashaft hav- 'inga series of differentdiameter gear-wheels ifixed thereon, a secondshaft havingan opposing set of different-diameter gear-wheels slidably mounted thereon, the first-named shaft being slidable longitudinally in its bearings, a cam, shifting rods connecting each movable gear-Wheel independently'with saidcam, a :rock;lever through which the movable shaft passes, being connected with said cam for rotating the same, a clutch adapted to be engaged and disengaged by said shifting shaft, and a lever pivoted to said rock-lever and attached to said slidable shaft, Whereby the movable members may be actuated through the'manipulation of'a single'member, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

Witnesses: v OLIVER B. KAIsnRr IDA J. LUcAs,

FREDn IoK,o. MILL 

